Scripture: Exodus 1:8-14, 22Matthew 10:34-11:1 Reflection It is easy to dismiss today’s gospel as “crazy talk” because what Jesus asks of us seems not only excessive and unfair, but downright at odds with the deepest inclinations of our nature. Jesus…
Scripture: Isaiah 55:10-11Romans 8:18-23Matthew 13:1-23 Reflection: My hope is that each person reading this is able to be more intensely conscious of God’s fertile Word always present with you and for you. What is God saying to us through Jesus’…
Scripture: Genesis 49:29-32; 50:15-26aMatthew 10:24-33 Reflection: A Happy Ending Just Out of Reach We conclude today our reading of the Book of Genesis. It’s ending is the ending of the story of Joseph, which we have read for four days;…
Scripture: Genesis 46:1-7, 28-30Matthew 10:16-23 Reflection: I am always struck by the number of people in the Old and New Testament who respond so decisively to the call of the Lord. In today’s first reading we hear, “Jacob, Jacob.” “Here I…
Scripture: Genesis 44:18-21, 23b-29; 45:1-5Matthew 10:7-15 Reflection: Our first reading continues to share the story in Genesis of Joseph and his brothers. That story is familiar to most of us if for no other reason than having viewed the musical…
Scripture: Genesis 41:55-57; 42:5-7a, 17-24aMatthew 10:1-7 Reflection: When I read over Jesus’ summoning the twelve and giving them authority to expel unclean spirits and to cure sickness and disease of every kind, it struck me that the very power to…
Scripture: Genesis 32:23-33Matthew 9:32-38 Reflection: Jacob sent his wives, 11 children and others of his party with all his possessions, across the Jabbok River. He stood alone on the other side of that river, alone in the deepest darkness of…
Scripture: Genesis 28:10-22aMatthew 9:18-26 Reflection: As a child, did an adult entrusted with your care violate that trust in harmful ways? As an adult, have you ever trusted someone and then been betrayed? I suspect most people could answer “Yes”…
Scripture: Zechariah 9:9-10Romans 8:9, 11-13Matthew 11:25-30 Reflection: Jesus’ prayer sums up the gospel of Matthew and connects Jesus’ Beatitudes and the final teaching of his hidden presence revealed at the final judgement. The Beatitudes reveal the Father’s love given to…
Scripture: Genesis 27:1-5, 15-29Matthew 9:14-17 Reflection: I’m sure many readers watch programs like CSI and other TV, Cable or Netflix series with some kind of ‘investigative’ sub-theme running throughout the 45 minutes of entertainment. Often the characters are police or…